Protect your Child from Predators

You have the power to protect your child from sexual predators. To do so, you need to prepare your child and teach him or her about safety procedures and self-protect.

Prepare Your Child without Fear

You don’t want to make your child paranoid, but you must prepare him/her. Talk about safety openly and without fear. Go over the dos and don’ts with him/her.

Don’ts

Never get in a car with a stranger.

Never go to a second location with someone you don’t know.

Never let someone swear you to secrecy.

Dos

Stay with a friend.

Let parents know where you are.

You need to make sure your child understands that he/she is loved, and your child needs to love him/herself.

Set up his/her world for safety

Never leave your child alone, even for a moment, particularly when he/she is young.

Have strict procedures on such things as going to and from school and where to go after a dance or sports.

Your child should know his/her home telephone number, his/her parents’ cell phone numbers, home address and how to call 911.

Child should never wear clothes displaying his/her name.

Set up a code word with your child in case of emergency and test it.

Create a map of your neighborhood so your child knows where to go if he/she is feeling uncomfortable. Point out safe houses, fire stations or a trusted neighbor’s home. Your child should also know where to run or drive in case the situation calls for that action.

Listen and Look

As parents, you need to be extremely tuned in to what’s taking place in your child’s life. Listen to your child to see if he/she is talking about anyone who doesn’t belong in her/his world.

Be sure to look and listen to what your child is doing on the Internet. Figure out how to check for access, passwords, and where he/she has been surfing. Predators will try and groom a child over the Internet.

Teach your Child to self-protect

Teach your child to recognize danger: who, what and where.

Who: Somebody he/she doesn’t know or doesn’t trust asking her/him to do something she/he doesn’t want to do. Strangers are not only the creepy looking men in trench coats, they can be anyone.

What: Adults do not ask children for help.

Where: If someone asks your child to go to a second location, which should set bells off for danger.

The Buddy System: A child should never be alone, even for a minute. He/she should always be with a friend or two, because there is strength in numbers.

React: Child must also know that it is OK for him/her to say no.

Communicate: It’s imperative that you establish a line of communication with your kid about anything he/she feels comfortable talking about.

Trust your instincts; if it feels wrong, it probably is wrong. These tips can save your child’s life.